ABSTRACT
The main objective of this study is to evaluate the influences of different engineering parameters on the seismic response of reinforced bridge abutments. The Founders/Meadows reinforced bridge abutment in Denver Colorado was considered as a case study. In former studies conducted on the same bridge, base isolator was not considered in the model between deck and the deck footing. However, the new finite difference numerical model is comprised of two abutments, one pier in mid-span, concrete deck, and base isolators connecting deck to deck footing. Parameters used in parametric study are related to base isolator, foundation soil, reinforced soil, and input ground motion. Horizontal displacement of facing as well as rotation of deck footing are selected as the main seismic excitation outputs. The overall results show that the response of the two-abutment model with the base isolator is significantly dependent on the base isolator damping, strength of foundation as well as reinforced soils, and frequency of input acceleration wave. The overall response of the GRS bridge abutment subjected to seismic excitations is evaluated and discussed.
